Kerb appeal seems to dominate conversations around property sales and for good reason.
It doesn’t matter how immaculately staged your lounge is or how new your boiler is…
If the outside of your home doesn’t shout “welcome” buyers will write it off before they’ve even stepped inside.
But here’s the kicker…
House hunters will literally decide whether or not your home is for them in seconds.
Once they arrive at your property and take in their first glimpse through the window they’ll either be filled with excitement…
Or they’ll move onto the next house on their agenda.
Contents
- What Exactly Is Kerb Appeal?
- Block Paving Installation And Why Your Driveway Matters Most
- The Surprising Numbers Behind Why First Impressions Matter
- The Most Effective Kerb Appeal Upgrades (& How Much They Cost)
- How To Ensure You Get Block Paving Installation Right
- TLDR; Why Kerb Appeal Is The Most Important Thing When Selling
What Exactly Is Kerb Appeal?
Kerb appeal is how attractive your property is when viewed from the street.
Does it look nice? Would you walk up to that front door if you were looking at houses?
Things like your driveway, front door, garden, fencing and windows all fall under kerb appeal and the first impression they create.
But kerb appeal does more than just look pretty…
If your property looks fantastic from the outside it’s a sign to buyers that you must take pride in your home and that you’ve kept on top of maintenance.
The moment buyers lay eyes on a pretty home they get emotionally invested. Beauty creates excitement.
Beauty creates trust.
Beauty inspires buyers to think this could be my new home.
When your home doesn’t look good on the outside it creates doubt. Doubt drives buyers away and doubt kills sales.
Block Paving Installation And Why Your Driveway Matters Most
Your driveway is without doubt the single most important kerb appeal improvement you can make.
It’s the first thing buyers lay eyes on and the first thing they’ll physically set foot on when they reach your home.
If your driveway is cracked and patchy with weeds growing through it or coloured strips stained with dirt and debris your potential buyers instantly feel like they’re losing money.
This property needs work.
Conversely, buyers who pull up to your home and see a clean crisp driveway think immediately:
We’re in a nice area. This house must be well looked after.
Investing in a new driveway with block paving signals to buyers that you’ve invested money into your home and will continue to do so in the future.
Block paving installation is the top pick for several reasons:
- Block paving comes in a huge range of patterns, colours, and textures.
- There are block styles to suit all property types, from traditional to modern.
- When installed correctly it provides a smooth, hard wearing, and resilient surface.
Unlike rendering your frontage or replacing old windows, block paving installation is relatively low cost — but looks incredible when sales viewers pull up onto the driveway.
So what’s the value add on installing a driveway with block paving?
Driveways can add 5% to 10% to the value of a UK property, according to Virgin Money figures cited by estate agents Leaders.
On properties which didn’t have a driveway already, installing one could boost prices by as much as £13,354, according to data from the Homeowners Alliance and the Federation of Master Builders.
When you consider that figure next to loft extensions or upgrading kitchens — block paving driveway installation is a no-brainer.
The Surprising Numbers Behind Why First Impressions Matter
If you need convincing that first impressions matter then take a look at these stats…
60% of property viewers make their minds up within just one minute of seeing the outside of a home.
That’s 60 seconds to decide if your home is the right house for them.
And two thirds of buyers won’t even make it inside if they notice design faults at the kerb.
How could they? Your home won’t look its best from the street. Kerb appeal is everything when it comes to making a strong first impression and here’s why…
Research from Barclays Mortgages shows that:
- 1 in 3 buyers make their buying decision based on the exterior of the property.
- Half of buyers said they’d offer 20% less for a property they didn’t like the exterior of.
That’s right. On a property listing for £300,000, 20% would be £60,000!
Homes with great kerb appeal aren’t just more likely to sell, they can command a higher asking price too.
Think about how much you could add to your sale price by investing in the exterior of your property.
The Most Effective Kerb Appeal Upgrades (& How Much They Cost)
Block paving installation won’t be for everyone. What else can you do to boost kerb appeal before selling?
Luckily, some of the most effective upgrades won’t cost you a penny.
From painting your front door to hanging up a seasonal wreath, these are the changes you can make today to wow buyers when they visit:
- Front door. Believe it or not, giving your front door a fresh lick of paint is one of the best ways to add value to your home. Bright colours like bottle green, navy, or even classic black are big winners with buyers.
- Garden. Trim your hedge, mow the lawn, and clear away any dead leaves on pathways. If your front garden looks unkempt then buyers will think you haven’t tended to the inside of your property very much either.
- Windows & window frames. Nothing turns buyers off like grimy windows and peeling window frames. Even if you can’t replace the windows before selling give them a good clean and paint the frames.
- Fencing & gates. If your fence is broken or your front door gate won’t close properly, now is the time to sort it. Don’t rely on buyers not noticing these small details — they will and it’ll make you look sloppy.
- Exterior lighting. Is your porch light working? How about some fairy lights around your windows? Exterior lighting may seem like a small detail but it ties everything together and keeps that kerb appeal shining long after the sun goes down.
Need some more convincing that kerb appeal is worth investing in? According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), improving kerb appeal could add 10% to the value of your property.
You don’t need to do all of these things. But you do need to consider each carefully before selling your home.
How To Ensure You Get Block Paving Installation Right
As mentioned above, poorly laid block paving can cost you.
Just like carpet on a staircase can leave a bad taste in a buyer’s mouth; so can a driveway that looks like it wasn’t installed by a professional.
- Bumpy surfaces.
- Poor drainage.
- A driveway that looks like it’ll be riddled with weeds in a month.
If buyers think you didn’t invest in your driveway properly, they’ll wonder what else you haven’t done around the property.
Don’t fall into the trap of opting for the cheapest block paving installer.
Talk to several local businesses and see who can offer you the best solution.
As with anything selling your home, preparation is key.
Why Kerb Appeal Is The Most Important Thing When Selling
Think about selling your home like an interview. Everyone wants that dream job. But if you turn up filthy, wearing shorts, and haven’t shaved you won’t get past HR.
Your home is no different. Kerb appeal is your first impression. Your window to opportunity.
Buyers make up their minds quickly when they’re searching for their dream home.
Give them something to be excited about.
